3 Big bills, 3 weeks left

Arguably the General Assembly’s three biggest bills entering this session — a hike in the cigarette tax, a crackdown on illegal immigration and restrictions on payday lending — have not passed the Legislature. A look at where those bills stand and what must happen for those bills to become law. The General Assembly’s session, scheduled to adjourn June 5, has three weeks left.

Cigarette tax

Where it stands: The Senate passed a plan in March to raise the state’s lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax by 50 cents a pack. The House last year passed a 30-cents-a-pack increase. The sides disagree on how to spend the money raised from the higher tax. House leaders want to spend the revenue on tax cuts for small businesses to buy health insurance for employees. The Senate wants to spend the money on smoking cessation programs and to help low-income workers buy health insurance.

What has to happen for it to pass: The House and Senate have to agree on the amount to raise the tax and how to spend the money. The House is scheduled to debate the tax Tuesday. That could move the sides toward compromise. It’s likely House and Senate versions of the cigarette tax will be settled in a conference committee.

Prospects of passing: Good. But a key to the cigarette tax hike becoming law is a veto-proof majority. Gov. Mark Sanford has said he could veto any cigarette tax increase that doesn’t spend the proceeds on tax cuts.

Immigration

Where it stands: The House and Senate have failed to come to an agreement twice on plans outlining new rules for verifying the immigration status of new employees and levying fines against businesses that knowingly hire illegal workers. On Thursday, lawmakers said they would appoint a new conference committee to settle differences between the House and Senate plans.

What has to happen for it to pass: Lawmakers must settle the question of whether to use electronic verification of citizenship, or e-verify, as the House wants. Sanford wants a strong e-verify component in any bill that reaches his desk. If a compromise doesn’t satisfy Sanford, it must be veto-proof.

Prospects of passing: Good. Lawmakers, who are all up for re-election this year, view immigration as a must-get political accomplishment.

Payday lending

Where it stands: The Senate passed a bill restricting the size and frequency of payday loans. Loans could be no more than $600, and consumers would be restricted from taking out multiple loans. The bill is before the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee.

What has to happen for it to pass: Members of the Senate are planning to revive the bill after state Rep. Harry Cato, R-Greenville, said last week it wouldn’t make it out of the committee he chairs.

Prospects of passing: Slight. The Senate can revive the bill, but it would have to be fast-tracked to get a shot at passing with only three weeks left in the session.